In addition, Michael Ball will present the Sidney Brown Memorial Award for new musical theatre writing. An excerpt from the winning show will be performed at the gala.

An exclusive auction of musical theatre memorabilia will also take place around the time of the event, with prizes currently including an item from the film Les Miserables, signed by Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, hand written lyrics to James Bond’s Diamonds are Forever by Don Black and a tailor made song from Stiles & Drewe.

Musical theatre luminaries including Willy Russell, Charles Hart and Stiles & Drewe, together with a number of emerging writers, will be introducing new songs at the event, all performed by the artists above.

MMD is a registered charity, dedicated to the craft of writing book, music and lyrics for musical theatre. The charity joined the Arts Council Portfolio this year in partnership with Musical Theatre Network www.mercurymusicals.com.